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Page 450
interdict or excommunicationwhich I do not think he will until all hope of reconciliation is gonethat cannot be done today. All this must be matter for the future."
Something specific was in Sir Peter's mind, Ian knew, but the man did not seem to be able to come to the point.
"I meant that the king was much occupied with this matter. With his eyes fixed upon Rome, he may not see what is stirring under his nose."
Ian put down his goblet on the small table near his chair, and sat up. "What is stirring?" he asked sharply.
Sir Peter's eyes did not meet his. "Doubtless you know better than I, my lord," he said uneasily. "You are clan brother to Lord Llewelyn, are you not?"
"Llewelyn? I am his clan brother, yes, but Llewelyn does not tell any man all his secretsespecially me, when he knows I will argue against him. Anyway, I have not seen Llewelyn since my wedding. If you have heard rumors of trouble in Wales, you were ill-advised to keep silent. Why did you not send me word?"
"I have heard nothing," Sir Peter replied defensively. "I only thought that trouble in England spells trouble here."
That was false. The tone, the averted eyes, everything was wrong. Sir Peter had news, and definite news. But why should he keep it to himself? Ian's first reaction was to wonder whether it was news of more mischief the king was planning against him. In a moment he dismissed that notion. None of Alinor's men, whatever they felt about Ian, wanted their lady to fall into the king's hands. Even the few who had no concern for Alinor personally, preferred her management to John's. The news Sir Peter had heard must concern himself. Ian wondered if a report of the conversation he had had with Alinor about their suspicions of Sir Peter had somehow reached the man. If it had, no doubt it came in a distorted and exaggerated form, relayed from maid to maid, and then from man to man.

 
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